<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Carson, Calif. ? Dusty Jonas, who recently concluded his freshman campaign with the Nebraska track and field team, won the men’s high jump title Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Junior Track and Field Championships held at The Home Depot Center.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
The La Vernia, Texas, native easily won the competition after clearing a personal-best height of 7-4 ?, more than five inches better than the runner-up, Tennessee’s E. Andrew Brunson (6-10 ?). The performance ranks fourth on NU’s all-time outdoor high jump charts, as he surpassed his previous best height of 7-3 ?. The victory also earned him a spot on the U.S. national team for next month’s Pan American Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Jonas recorded a stellar first season at Nebraska by claiming a pair of NCAA All-America honors in the men’s high jump. He placed second in his first national meet at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March, before finishing sixth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month.
Four other NU athletes are also scheduled to compete at the U.S. Track and Field Championships this week. Becky Breisch and Anne Shadle will begin their quest to earn spots on the U.S. World Championships later this evening with the women’s discus and 1,500-meter run qualifying rounds, while LeRon Williams and incoming freshman Robert Rands will compete in the junior men’s long jump Friday afternoon.